Three more deaths from floods and earth slips were reported yesterday, bringing the death toll to 23 while the number missing rose to 15 and injured to 34.

The Disaster Management Centre said relief for those affected is being provided and rescue operations were being conducted by the Army, Navy and the Police.

The DMC said the number of families affected by heavy rains, winds, landslides and floods increased.

It said the number of flood-affected families increased by 20 thousand 798 and affected persons by 88 thousand 882.

A total of 266 thousand persons from over 68 thousand 904 families have been affected by floods, landslides and cyclonic winds that accompanied torrential rains in several parts of the country during the past few days.

A DMC spokesman said 8,533 persons belonging to 2,202 families are housed in evacuation centres. Forty seven evacuation centres have been set up to accommodate the marooned victims.

One hundred and forty one houses in Matale, Kandy, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Badulla, Monaragala and Kegalle were totally damaged while 805 houses have been partially damaged.

Issuing a release the NBRO states that these threats remain active for the next 24 hours for the districts of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Mathale, Kurunegala & Hambanthota.

Moreover the Department Of Irrigation states that 31 out of a total of 71 reservoirs coming under the purview of the department have reached imminent spill level, while the sluice gates of 13 reservoirs have been opened against the rising water levels.

Disaster Management Centre says that the water level in the Chilaw town has not yet reduced.

The Chilaw town was inundated from last afternoon With the Deduru Oya overflowing and removing of the Munneswaram Tank bund and releasing of water.

Our correspondents said that while the bus stand and several side lanes had been inundated and transport across the town remained at a standstill.

Several ground floors of Chilaw General Hospital have been inundated due to floods.

The police said that as a result of Deduroya overflowing transport on Chilaw - Puttalam road is also hindered.

The Chilaw town has thus been inundated after more than 40 years.

However authorities have taken steps to provide all facilities to distressed people as a result of the floods

When we contacted Chilaw Mayor Hilary Prasanna Fernando he had this to say…

Duty meteorologist of the Department of Meteorology Meril Mendis predicted more showers for the Eastern, Uwa and North Central provinces, as well as for the Kurunegala & Hambanthota Districts.